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Photonics Engineers in Iowa

Photonics Engineers in Iowa

Want to work as a Photonics Engineers in Iowa? Here’s what the data says. All engineers not listed separately. Excludes “Sales Engineers” (41-9031), “Locomotive Engineers” (53-4011), and “Ship Engineers” (53-5031).

What do Photonics Engineers Make in Iowa?

The photonics engineers working in Iowa, wages run about $100,200 per year (or about $48.17/hour).Annual wages span from $69,630 at the 10th percentile to $125,710 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $69,630 $33.48
25th percentile $81,280 $39.08
Median (50th) $100,200 $48.17
75th percentile $114,080 $54.84
90th percentile $125,710 $60.44
Salary ranges for Photonics Engineers in Iowa

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Iowa nationwide is 0.80, meaning fewer photonics engineers per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, photonics engineers earn a median of $84,667 per year ($40.71/hour), above the Iowa median.

Photonics Engineers earnings in Iowa vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

National employment for 40,916 photonics engineers in the U.S.. In Iowa alone, around 1,220 people work in this role. That’s fewer than the typical state, which employs around 1,430 photonics engineers.

Photonics Engineers in Iowa vs. the average state Forecasted number of jobs for Photonics Engineers

Top Iowa Metros for Photonics Engineers

The largest metro-area employers of photonics engineers in Iowa.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL 460 $101,340
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA 260 $98,040
Ames, IA 120 $100,400
Iowa City, IA 80 $86,090
Cedar Rapids, IA 40 $99,990

Top States for Photonics Engineers Employment

The table below shows the states where the most photonics engineers work.

State Number Employed
California 26,500
Texas 9,900
Florida 9,120
Louisiana 7,630
Maryland 6,670
Michigan 6,630
Virginia 5,980
Ohio 5,970
New York 5,020
Pennsylvania 4,710
Tennessee 4,610
North Carolina 4,230
Georgia 3,970
New Jersey 3,910
Alabama 3,370
Washington 3,150
Illinois 3,010
Massachusetts 2,930
Arizona 2,660
District of Columbia 2,640

Highest-Paying States for Photonics Engineers

Where photonics engineers earn the most: photonics engineers.

State Annual Median Salary
District of Columbia $167,270
Alabama $146,480
New Mexico $142,520
Virginia $142,110
Wyoming $139,010
Maryland $135,990
Alaska $132,410
Massachusetts $132,020
New Jersey $131,960
Rhode Island $131,830

Skills

The most important photonics engineers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Critical Thinking  4.0 / 5
0
5
Reading Comprehension  3.9 / 5
0
5
Writing  3.9 / 5
0
5
Active Listening  3.8 / 5
0
5
Mathematics  3.6 / 5
0
5
Speaking  3.6 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Engineering and Technology  4.8 / 5
0
5
Mathematics  4.6 / 5
0
5
Physics  4.6 / 5
0
5
Computers and Electronics  4.2 / 5
0
5
Design  4.0 / 5
0
5
English Language  3.3 / 5
0
5

Abilities

Top abilities for photonics engineers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Information Ordering  4.0 / 5
0
5
Written Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Deductive Reasoning  4.0 / 5
0
5
Inductive Reasoning  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Comprehension  3.9 / 5
0
5
Written Expression  3.9 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Day-to-day, photonics engineers typically:

  • Analyze system performance or operational requirements.
  • Develop optical or imaging systems, such as optical imaging products, optical components, image processes, signal process technologies, or optical systems.
  • Develop or test photonic prototypes or models.
  • Design, integrate, or test photonics systems or components.
  • Assist in the transition of photonic prototypes to production.
  • Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in the field.
  • Write reports or proposals related to photonics research or development projects.
  • Conduct testing to determine functionality or optimization or to establish limits of photonics systems or components.
  • Determine applications of photonics appropriate to meet product objectives or features.
  • Conduct research on new photonics technologies.
  • Design electro-optical sensing or imaging systems.
  • Document photonics system or component design processes, including objectives, issues, or outcomes.

Work Activities

  • Working with Computers
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Getting Information
  • Analyzing Data or Information
  • Thinking Creatively
  • Processing Information
  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information

Tools & Technology

Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD, C, C#, C++ In-demand technologies: C++

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Related college programs include:

Careers similar to photonics engineers include:

Also Known As

Algorithm Developer, DWDM Optical Network Engineer (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing Optical Network Engineer), Display Engineer, Electro-optical Engineer, Electro-optics Engineer, Engineer, Fiber Optics Engineer, Laser Engineer, Laser Systems Engineer, Optical Design Engineer, Optical Engineer, Optical Manufacturing Engineer, Optical Network Engineer, Optical Specialist, Optical Systems Engineer.

References

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